Srinagar, Oct 27 (HS): Ali Mohammad Sagar’s political career began in municipal politics in the late 1970s and has since run through the National Conference (NC) organisation, the Assembly and several governments. The party’s 72-year-old general secretary was sworn in on Tuesday as a minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to four ministers.

His induction is apparently meant to further strengthen the NC’s base in Srinagar, its political stronghold. That he has been picked despite his health issues is seen as a sign that the move is deliberate. Sagar is widely regarded as a leader with a distinct reputation for staying in close touch with party workers. He represents Khanyar in Srinagar.

Sagar was born in Srinagar on November 27, 1953. He is a postgraduate and also holds an LL.B degree from the University of Kashmir, according to his 2024 election affidavit.

His public life began as a councillor between 1978 and 1983. In 1983, he was appointed general secretary of the Youth National Conference, and the same year he was elected to the Assembly for the first time. He won again in 1987, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2024.

Sagar first became a minister in 1989, when he held the Information portfolio. In 1996, he was made Minister of State for Home, and later served as Works Minister until 2002. When Omar Abdullah formed his first government in January 2009, Sagar was Minister for Rural Development.

He has been the NC’s general secretary since 2014, when he replaced Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, a veteran party leader and cousin of party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, who had held the post for decades. Sagar is the second leader from outside the Abdullah family to have been appointed to it, after Bashir Ahmad Kichlo.

His son, Salman Sagar, is the NC MLA from Hazratbal. In his 2024 affidavit, Sagar declared no criminal cases and assets of about Rs 7.49 crore, with no liabilities.

Three other NC legislators were sworn in with him. Mir Saifullah has served as a minister before, while Shamima Firdous and Altaf Kaloo join the Council of Ministers for the first time.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat